GECs
Zee changes programme timings in a bid to improve ratings
In a bid to find some of that old magic with viewers, Zee TV has once again gone in for a change in its programming schedule. One show has been pulled off midway, another introduced in its place and existing shows have had their timings changed. Deewane To Deewane Hai has been pulled off air from 14 November and Hip Hip Hurray, earlier telecast on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm, will now be shown only on Fridays.
Aan, a new serial that’s all about old world traditions, has stepped into the 7:30 pm slot on weekdays from 19 November. Produced by Anand Mahendroo’s Advance Entertainment, the weekly soap is directed by Sunil Salgia and stars Dimple Inamdar, Ela Bhate and Sushil Johri and has a repeat telecast at 12:30 pm.
Sarhadein has been shuttled around once again. It has been pulled out of the late night 10:45 pm slot into the 8:00 pm slot from 19 November. Daily soap Ek Tukda Chaand Ka finds itself removed from the prime time slot of 8:00 pm and pushed further back to the 11:00 pm slot.
Zee Telefilms senior vice president Partha Sinha justifies the move thus: “Ek Tukda Chaand Ka has been forwarded to the 11:00 pm slot, as it is aimed at a more mature audience. Since Sarhadein is doing well we have brought it forward to 8:00 pm.”
Sinha claims that Kohi Apna Sa,Choti Maa – Ek Anokha Bandhan are doing well, Nilaamghar is looking up, and Justajoo and Sansaar are picking up slowly. About its interactive experiment Aap Jo Bole Haan To Haan,Aap Jo Bole Na To Na, Sinha says: “We will be doing something to increase the value of Aap Jo Bole Haan…, but the plans are still on the drawing board.”
The juggling exercise is not new to Zee. Barely two months after its relaunch campaign, the channel shifted three shows in October to increase its audience share. Nilaamghar, hosted by the irrepressible Shekhar Suman, was shifted from the weekend (Saturday-Sunday 7:00 pm) to a weekly slot – Tuesday-Wednesday 10:00 pm, with effect from 16 October. Sarhadein, earlier telecast at 11:00 pm Mondays to Wednesdays, was shifted to 10:45 pm from 15 October.
At the time, Aap Jo Bole… was cut down from four days a week to two days. Instead of Sundays to Wednesdays, it was telecast only Sunday and Monday from 14 October.
GECs
Sebi sends show-cause notice to Zee over fund diversion, company responds
Regulator questions 2018 letter of comfort and governance lapses; company vows robust legal response
MUMBAI: India’s markets watchdog has reignited its long-running scrutiny of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, issuing a sweeping show-cause notice that drags the broadcaster and 84 others into a widening governance storm.
The notice, dated February 12, has been served by the Securities and Exchange Board of India to Zee, chairman emeritus Subhash Chandra and managing director and chief executive Punit Goenka, among others. At its heart: allegations that company funds were indirectly routed to settle liabilities of entities linked to the Essel Group.
The regulator’s probe traces its roots to November 2019, when two independent directors resigned from Zee’s board, flagging concerns over the alleged appropriation of fixed deposits by Yes Bank. The deposits were reportedly adjusted against loans extended to Essel Group entities, triggering questions about related-party dealings and board oversight.
A key flashpoint is a letter of comfort dated September 4, 2018, issued by Subhash Chandra in his dual capacity as chairman of Zee and the Essel Group. The document, linked to credit facilities availed by certain group companies from Yes Bank, was allegedly known only to select members of management and not disclosed to the full board—an omission SEBI believes raises red flags over transparency and governance controls.
Zee has pushed back hard. In a statement, the company said it “strongly refutes” the allegations against it and its board members and will file a detailed response. It expressed confidence that SEBI would conduct a fair review and signalled readiness to pursue all legal remedies to protect shareholder interests.
The notice marks the latest twist in a saga that has shadowed the broadcaster since 2019. What began as boardroom unease has morphed into a full-blown regulatory confrontation. The final reckoning now rests with SEBI—but the reputational stakes for Zee, and the message for India Inc on governance discipline, could scarcely be higher.
